The victims of microfinance institutions on Tuesday set fire to two microfinance institutions in Siraha.

They torched the offices of Shrijansheel Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha and Jeevan Bikash Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha, located in ward 7 of Golbazar Municipality.

A group of around 20 women set fire to the offices on Tuesday afternoon, destroying documents, computers and other office equipment.

According to Raj Kumar Shrestha, the chairman of Sirjansheel Microfinance, two laptops and all documents on the tables inside the office were set on fire. He said two or three women, posing as clients, suddenly seized the documents and laptops and set them on fire.

Similarly, two desktop computers were smashed, and various documents were seized at Jeevan Bikas Microfinance.

The Struggle Committee Against Microfinance, Nepal claimed responsibility for the incident, accusing microfinance institutions of failing to implement the recommendations of a task force formed by the government and the committee. This, they claimed, forced them to take the action.

“The report, prepared by representatives of the Ministry of Finance, Nepal Rastra Bank, and the struggle committee, has not been implemented,” said Arjun Bishwakarma, Madhesh Province chair of the struggle committee. “The victims resorted to this action because they could no longer bear the suffering.”

Meanwhile, police have detained ten women suspected of involvement in the arson.

“They are in our custody, and an investigation is underway. We will decide the next steps after studying the matter,” said Superintendent of Police Ramesh Pandit, chief of the District Police Office, Siraha.